Meet Connie

Connie Bennett is the bestselling author of Beyond Sugar Shock and Sugar Shock. The former sugar addict reluctantly quit sugar in 1998, and now 15-plus years later, she's considered The Sugar Liberator™, who has helped thousands of people worldwide discover that Life is Sweeter When Sugar Doesn’t Seduce You™.

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December 2008 posts

As 2008 comes to a close, let's look at the 20 most popular Gab With the Gurus Radio Shows I hosted since beginning it in July 2007. (Yes, I'm covering a time span of more than a year, but last year, I was too busy to give you a Best of Shows list.)

In case you're new to the Gab With the Gurus Radio Shows, they're designed to inspire, motivate, entertain and educate you. Guests are brought on to help you bring your life to a better, more exciting, happy and fulfilling place.

My Gab With the Gurus Radio Shows, as fans know, are hosted over at the much-acclaimed, cutting-edge, user-friendly Blog Talk Radio. What's so cool about doing a show there is that it's easy to do, all you need is a phone and people can listen at any time to your programs.

So without further ado, let's delve into the Best of Shows. We'll begin by highlighting shows at the current URL, www.BlogTalkRadio.com/GabWithTheGurus. If you forget this URL, you can always listen to my shows by just typing www.GabWithTheGurus.com. That's, in turn, routed to the Blog Talk Radio site.

2. In November, after people swamped me with emails asking me about high fructose corn syrup (because they'd seen the new ads from the Corn Refiners Association), I invited several gurus to give you the truth about this cheap, widely popular, chemically synthesized, corn-based sweetener that's now used in some 2/3 of processed foods found in grocery stores today. My guests included: Curt Ellis, director of "King Corn," cardiologist Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra (contributing author to my book SUGAR SHOCK!); food formulator Russ Bianchi and nutritionist Pedro Bastos. Learn their thoughts at: High Fructose Corn Syrup: Should We Believe the New Ads? Get the Scoop About This Popular Sweetener. Get more valuable info about HFCS from researcher Dr. Richard Johnson, author of The Sugar fix, who chatted with me for the last 15 minutes of this show.

3. In addition, in November, Thanksgiving put me in a grateful frame of mind so we paid tribute to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), which I atttended. You can now listen to more than a dozen graduates of IIN, including Alex Jamieson (who you may have seen on "Oprah" with her husband Morgan Freeman), Amy Kalafa (one of "Two Angry Moms," who appeared on the "Today" show), acclaimed physicians Dr. Karlene ChinQuee and Dr. Jill Baron, dietitian Lynn Goldstein, Seth Braun, Dena Smith Givens, Jeanette Bronee, Jena la Flamme, Nancy Weiser, Sandra Keros, Glen Colello, Ameet Maturu, Mary Kent Hearon, Dages Keates, Kristen Domingue, Stacey Morganstern and Marilena Minucci. Learn about the school now and get their helpful health tips: Integrative Nutrition Grads Share Health Tips & How IIN Transformed Their Lives

5. September was time to answer your many questions about Twitter, this fascinating social networking phenomenon. We turned to Shel Israel, author of Naked Conversations; Arik Hesseldahl, technology writer for Business Week; David Mathison, author of Be the Media; Gedeon Maheux, Iconfactory co-founder; and Warren Whitlock, co-author of Twitter Revolution, who told you how Twitter can help you. Listen now: Twitter Talk With the Gurus -- Get The Scoop on This Social Networking Phenomenon - Sep 23,2008

7. Then, on August 5, we shed light on the scary, tick-transmitted Lyme disease, which, unfortunately took place as I was struggling with this condition myself. Guru guests included: Pamela Weintraub, author of the groundbreaking book, Cure Unkown; Pat Smith, president of the Lyme Disease Association; Bernard D. Raxlen, M.D.; Steven J. Bock, M.D., Dr. Qingcai Zhang; author Rebecca Wells (Ya-Ya novels) and Kris Newby, senior producer of the new documentary, “Under Our Skin: The Untold Story of Lyme Disease.” Get educated now: Lyme Disease: Get the Truth on the Fast-Spreading Disease With Pamela Weintraub & Other Experts (See how small ticks here by looking at the artwork to your left.)

8. In mid-July, fans loved the show, Lose Weight With Celebrity Diet & Fitness Expert Harley Pasternak and "The Charmed's" Victoria Moran.Harley, one of America's most sought-after diet and fitness experts, shared details about his "5 Factor Diet" (also the name of his book. We also heard about some of his hot celebrity clients, who include Halle Berry, Alicia Keys, Mandy Moore, Orlando Bloom, Zack Braff and Robert Downey, Jr. Then, the formerly overweight Victoria Moran, author of Fat, Broke & Lonely No More, shared how she has kept weight off for 24 years.

9. A month previously, on June 17, you raved about the show, in which you got (and can still get) pearls of wisdom and helpful tips on how achieve joy in your life with Marci Shimoff, a featured teacher in The Secret. Marci, author of Happy for No Reason, gives you tools so you can become happy from the inside out. Listen now to this empowering, exciting show:Happiness: Learn How to Get It With Marci Shimoff of The Secret

The new Gab With the Gurus URL was reflective of a broader focus. Rather than just spotlighting gurus in health, wellness and fitness, the show now also features experts in personal empowerment, blogging, social networking, Law of Attraction, relationships, romance, fiction and more.

Listen now to this brief announcement that Gab With the Gurus Show Moves to A New Location and covers a variety of fields. While it was called the Stop Sugar Shock Radio Show, more exciting guests intrigued you. Here are some of your favorite shows, according to the hundreds of emails I've received.

10. Fans of this show also enjoyed May's show with the acclaimed creativity expert Julia Cameron, author of The Writing Diet and The Artists Way. She chatted with me and gave you tips on how to journal your way to weight loss. You can catch her show now: Write Away Your Weight With Creativity Expert Julia Cameron.

12. Then in April, in honor my 10 years sugar-free, I hosted Part I and Part II of a one-of-a-kind Gab Fest With the Gurus, "The Keys to Sweet Glee Naturally," where numerous experts spent some 5 minutes to share something inspiring to help them take their lives to the next level. It was a speed-interviewing guru extravaganza, sort of like speed dating except that you left each and every interview feeling uplifted, as thousands raved of pleased fans wrote to me.

Part I, which was held on April 15, 1998 -- my actual, 10-years-off-sugar anniversary date, or what I now fondly call the year I was reborn -- was a big hit with listeners, who enjoyed getting short, motivational tidbits from the gurus.

Likewise, Part II went over well with listeners, who appreciated hearing from the 93-year-old Jack LaLanne, who has more energy than people half his age -- or even one-third his age.

Jack, who also was kind enough to be interviewed for my book SUGAR SHOCK!, was joined by "Mr. Fire" Joe Vitale, one of the teachers in the hit movie and book, The Secret, "First Lady of Nutrition" Ann Louise Gittleman and "Secret Weapon" Donna Le Blanc. , the inspirational has more energy than people half his age -- or even one-third his age. This was a real treat! Listen to part II now, Jack LaLanne, Joe Vitale, Ann Louise Gittleman & Donna LeBlanc: Gab-Fest With the Gurus.

15. Meanwhile, the previous month, in January 2008, people were shocked to learn that sugar can mess up your brain. This was part of a fascinating program, Glucose Shrinks, Withers & Atrophies Your Brain! Listen to pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Larry McCleary. Listeners loved getting the scoop from the famed pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Larry McCleary, who told you the sour news about how glucose shrinks, withers and atrophies your brain! In addition, Dr. McCleary, author of The Brain Trust Program, ave you tips to improve your memory and reach your brain's full potential.

16. Another very popular show in January with renowned nutritionist J.J. Virgin, C.N.S., C.H.F.I. gave you the truth about certain accepted, weight-loss untruths. Listen now to: Debunking Common Weight Loss Myths With Guest Nutritionist J.J.Virgin of "Dr. Phil." J.J. shares her insights and eye-opening revelations while blasting such misconceptions as these: (1) You need to eat less and exercise more to lose weight. (2) You should count calories and restrict them by 500 per day to shed weight. (3) You need to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily for weight loss. Learn how they're not true.

Top Shows 2007

17. Another very popular show -- one of the biggest favorites with listeners -- took place in December, when "FlyLady" (Marla Cilley) kindly joined me as co-host, and together, we answered your questions during a special 1-hour program. We helped you with your queries about what to do over the holidays, and we inspired you (we hope) to realize that the holidays don't have to mean sugar sprees and being disorganized. A very special thanks to Marla, who has her own wildly popular call-in show here at BlogTalk Radio, for joining me. In addition, I'm tremendously grateful to Marla for so graciously talking to me numerous times and offering me the most amazing guidance. Marla, I just can't thank you enough! In fact, it's because of Marla that I now host an hour-long, call-in show, Just Ask Connie & Company show, on the last Tuesday of every month. Listen now to Marla's and my call last year: Just Ask Connie & FlyLady -- Call Live to (646) 716-7312 to Get Help to Stop Your Sugar Shock!

19. Listeners to this Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, then called the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Radio Show, also were enthusisatic about the November show with the renowned relationships and personal growth expert and # 1 bestselling author Dr. Barbara DeAngelis. Unless you've been under a rock, you've heard of her many books, including How to Make Love All the Time, What Women Want Men to Know, Are You the One for Me? and her most recent book, How Did I Get Here? Catch this popular show now: Dr. Barbara De Angelis Tells You Learn How to Achieve Success & Happiness from the Inside Out.

20. Meanwhile, one of the most popular shows to date was when I interviewed the acclaimed physician, frequent "Oprah" guest and # 1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Mehmet Oz on October 20, 2007. At the time, his mega-bestselling book, YOU: Staying Young, was being released that week -- curiously the day before Halloween. As usual, Dr. Oz was fascinating, enthralling and captivating. Just click here to listen now to this exciting show: How YOU Can Stay Young & Youthful With Dr. Mehmet Oz.

21. In that same month, October, another favorite show with fans was the one I held with the dynamic Harvey Walden IV, the impassioned, inspirational work-out trainer on the popular TV show, "Celebrity Fit Club" on VH1. I booked Harvey after meeting him at a popular Learning Annex Class. He inspired participants so much to start exercising that I immediately set things in motion to book him on this radio show. Click here now to catch the motivating show: No Excuses, Folks! Get Off Your Butt! Get Inspired W/ "Celebrity Fit Club" Trainer Harvey Walden IV. Please note that the interview begins at 40 seconds in.

22. Another popular show was the one I held in September 2007 with award-winning science journalist Gary Taubes, whose groundbreaking new book, Good Calories, Bad Calories, had just been released. In an enlightening interview, he shared how those fast-acting, refined carbs can lead to a host of chronic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. He'll shock you when he reveals that exercise doesn't lead to weight loss; obesity isn't caused by overeating and sedentary behavior; and salt does not cause high b1ood pressure. Listen now:The Low-Fat, High-Carb Diet Hoax: Why Conventional Wisdom Wrong -- With Gary Taubes

24. In August, listeners enjoyed the fact that the show tickled your funny bone. My guest was the entertaining Brian Frazer, author of the acclaimed book, Hyper-Chondriac. Listen now to: Are You a Hyper-Chondriac?

25. And finally, our first show on July 7, 2007, which featured popular low-carb blogger Jimmy Moore, was also quite popular. Listen to Jimmy share his astounding success story. He even answers the question for you: How Do You Lose 180 Pounds?

I hope you'll have fun listening to these Best of Gab With the Gurus Radio Shows from 2008 and Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Radio Shows in 2007. Remember, you can catch my radio shows anytime that's convenient for you by visiting the Blog Talk Radio site here.

At this point, I also wanted to thank the many wonderful pleople at Blog Talk Radio, who've been incredibly friendly, imaginative and helpful to me since I started the show in July 2007. By the way, if you want to host your own radio show, I highly recommend that you do it over here.

This post would not be complete without some thank yous. In addition to thanking Marla ("FlyLady") -- see above -- I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the folks at Blog Talk Radio.

In particular, I'd like to thank the forward-thinkng Blog Talk Radio founder Alan Levy for being smart enough to have this idea for a citizen-driven radio network on the Internet. What an amazing place we have! Thank you, Alan!

In addition, I want to convey my profound appreciation for other fabulous Blog Talk Radio people, many of whom have bent over backwards to help this techno idiot!

I especially want to thank:

Christina Blodgett

Amy Domestico

Hillary Leewong

John Sweet

John Havens

Shannon Dingee

Demos Yannikos and

Nikki Starr

You've all been so amazingly friendly and helpful to me. Thank you so very much, my BTR friends!

Readers, I encourage you now to write back. Please submit a comment to let us know which shows you liked the best and why. And send your ideas for future shows, too.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a very sweet, happy new year.

In addition, I invite you to listen to this brief new year's greetings and announcement to get your invite to take the Great Worldwide Sugar-Out Challenge along with thousands of people around the globe.

By this, I mean that as your New Year's resolution, you're encouraged to either kick sugar and other sweets entirely or at least cut back on your consumption of the stuff for the month of January. (And I'm also including refined carbs.)

You can learn more about the Great Worldwide Sugar-Out Challenge on Friday, Jan. 16 at 12 noon Eastern on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, when I'm joined by several other sugar opponents and authors, including Dr. Nancy Appleton, author of Lick the Sugar Habit, and Dr. Scott Olson, author of the new book, Sugarettes.

FYI, those of you you who've read my book SUGAR SHOCK! know that I issued a 21-day challenge in the book. In fact, in the past two years, I've heard heard from thousands of happy readers who took me up on it and found their life completely transformed by kicking sugar.

But I've never officially announced such a challenge even though it was on my list of things to do. Now that we're making New Year's resolutions, I have to admit that even though it was a priority item, I just never got around to completing this goal.

Because I always believe in giving people credit when it's due, I need to give thanks to Dr. Olson, a Colorado-based naturopath, whose challenge I chanced upon last week, thanks to Google alerts.

I was so impressed by Scott's passion and commitment to helping people give up sugar for a better life that I decided to join him in his challenge.

Even better, I invited him to join me in a special radio show with several of us sugar experts and a Worldwide Sugar-Out Challenge. (Collaboration is so much better than doing things on your own all the time!)

In addition, I'd like to invite you to join me at the 11-part Thrive (Don't Just Survive) in 2009 program, which will begin Wed., Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. You'll get a chance to be inspired, educated and encouraged by a Who's Who of health, wellness and empowerment experts. Here's the schedule for the groundbreaking teleseminar/webinar series:

Hillary is one hot designer and also an award-winning author. (How does she have time to do all these amazing things?)

If you need a hot graphic designer, Hillary's your person. For instance, she produced and oversaw this website for Jennifer Anniston and created this one for singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett, who wrote Michael Jackson's hit song, "Man in the Mirror." (Visit it now and you'll get to listen to some fabulous music.)

I'm thrilled to work again with the wonderfully original Hillary. Yeah, again. She just finished the dazzling banner design for my new Words That Work™ website. (It to help convince interested editors and companies that they should hire me. FYI, I'm still working on the site.)

Hillary also did the absolutely clever artwork for my new Get Your Fill Now™ Blog. (This site is still in beta testing. In fact, I'm looking for writers. Wanna be one?)

Anhow, go now to my new Gab With the Gurus Blog now to learn about the exciting celebrity guest coming on my show soon.

New Year's is a unique holiday. It's the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time.

Perhaps that's why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we tend to become introspective.

Then, we wonder: How did time slip away from us?

And why did all our hopes and dreams never materialize?

Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making New Year's Resolutions.

We all do it.

We swear to ourselves, "This is THE year that I'll transform my life and fulfill my goals."

We are determined to keep all our promises to lose weight, kick sugar, stop smoking, make more mon*ey, take more time for ourselves, find the person of our dreams or get along better with our significant other, be more patient...just fill in the blanks.

Right now, millions of people from around the world are asking themselves questions as they figure out how to make 2009 the best year of their lives.

Here's a fun, creative exercise for you to do.

First off, think about how to surpass your potential in the New Year.

Take a minute or two noow. I'll wait right here.

Think about your fondest wishes. What are you dying to do at long last?

Now, fill in the blanks. (You don't even have to tell anyone what they are, unless you want to.)

In 2009, I'm finally going to _________________________!

In 2009, I'm also finally going to ____________________!

And in 2009, I will, at long last, _____________________!

What's more, next year, I will ________________________!

Now fast-forward to December 31st - New Years Eve, 2010.

You're reflecting on the past year, jotting down a few notes in your journal.

Would you be able to happily fill out the following?

"I've got a lot to be thankful for this year...

I feel great and now fit into my________________________________.

I have more energy and now have ____________, ___________ and _____________ because I finally quit sugar and all the junk food.

I reduced my credit card debt by $______________________________.

I have increased my retirement fund by $________________________.

I'm thrilled that I've achieved several goals, including ____________________.

I have exceeded my own expectations by__________________________.

I've got nearly enough money saved for a nice family vacation in ______________________.

So, what did YOU write down?

What are your aspirations for the coming year?

Are you ready to make 2009 the best year EVER?

Well, this doesn't have to be just a fun little exercise.

It can be something much better...

If the idea of kicking sugar, losing weight, getting along better with your significant other and your kids (or finding the man or woman of your dreams) sounds good to you, then pay VERY close attention.

If the idea of erasing your debts, making more income, doing something good for those in your community or finally making other lasting changes sounds good to you, then pay VERY close attention.

I'm going to tell you about something wonderful that IS the exact thing you'll want to make your Resolutions stick!

I'd like to show you how to dramatically increase the odds of making ALL your dreams -- whatever they may be -- come true in 2009.

"Got Resolutions?" is a personal leadership program that provides a step-by-step system for setting and achieving your New Year's Resolutions.

When I saw this exciting program, I was so impressed by its content, delivery, and overall impact of both its message and first-class execution.

If focus, discipline, and accountability were among the things that prevented you from achieving your resolutions in the past, then "Got Resolutions?" is for YOU!

In fact, here's what bestselling author Brian Tracy has to say about this program:

"Got Resolutions? is a serious program for serious people, who want to make serious and immediate change in their lives. There is no better way to start the New Year, and Gary Ryan Blair will show you how to finally turn your Resolutions into reality!"

Now, let's think about last year.

On New Year's Eve, 2007, did you set some Goals and Resolutions?

Did you make promises to yourself -- but then soon discovered that you met none of your Resolutions?

Right now you have the opportunity to create history rather than repeat it.

Would you like to actively fulfill your Resolutions this year?

Would you like to surprise yourself by actually following through?

As you reflect on your future life in 2009, would you like to see yourself begin the year fast, focused and positive?

Are you going to keep ALL your promises to yourself?

ALL you have to do is say YES, I'm ready to turn my Resolutions into reality.

Are you ready for a thrilling, positive change in your life?

It's easy to get started right away. Just visit here and turn your Resolutions into reality!

Happy New Year!

By the way, when you visit here, be sure to check out the video that explains the entire system. You'll be glad you did!

Sugar addicts, would you like to kick sugar for good? Stay tuned for exciting news tomorrow about how to Break Free With Glee. That's right -- in addition to giving you tools to make your resolutions happen (such as I've outlined above), I'll personally help you kick your sugar habit and lose weight, boost energy and regain your health.

Look, right now, we're living in interesting times, and we all need to know where we stand this particular January 1st.

Why? Because we're in the midst of a veritable "perfect storm" of stress and challenges in the world. We're in an economic environment unparalleled in several decades, two ongoing wars, record-high unemployment, massive consumer credit card debt, sky-high foreclosure rates and a new administration taking office in Washington.

These developments share a common thread -- UNCERTAINTY and FEAR.

These situations also demonstrate the need for us to be self reliant.

We need to make a serious and sustained commitment to change, to create detailed plans of execution and adopt a genuine resolve to transform our Resolutions into Reality.

The governmental agency -- which allows nutrient-lacking, potentially harmful diet drinks on the market in the first place -- is now berating Coca-Cola's new Diet Coke Plus because it's "misbranded."

The governmental agency, which posted a warning letter on its website, finds fault with the soda company's use of the word "Plus" as part of its name and label. What's more, Diet Coke Plus doesn't meet the FDA's criteria to make a nutrient content claim.

I generally don't applaud FDA actions -- after all, I'm nowhere near a fan of synthetic, nutrient-lacking diet drinks containing aspartame, Splenda, etc. -- but this time I'm behind the FDA for its smart move to berate Diet Coke Plus for being marketed as "a good source of vitamins B3, B6, and B12 and the minerals zinc and magnesium."

It's about time the FDA called Coca-Cola to task for boldly claiming on its website that each 8-ounce serving of the soft drink "provides 15% of your RDI for niacin and vitamins B6 and B12, and 10% for zinc and magnesium."

Anyhow, I appreciate the FDA's stand that it's just not "appropriate to fortify snack foods such as carbonated beverages."

Let's call soft drinks what they are -- nutrient lacking. Besides, can your body even process these so-called added nutrients?

In fact, one expert tells me that "the phosphoric acid and pH alone would prevent ANY absorption whatsoever" of these nutrients. Besides, the expert adds, "the vitamins or minerals are pure synthetics."

Incidentally, my diet soda days have long gone bye-bye, and after doing research about artificial sweeteners for my book SUGAR SHOCK!, I now religiously steer clear of the stuff. Just give me some water and some fresh vegetables and fruits and supplements if I want extra B vitamins and magnesium.

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Disclaimer/Terms & Conditions

All news, commentary, tips, information, statements, and other postings are for information and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this Sugar Shock Blog is NOT intended to replace, conflict or substitute for professional medical advice and prescriptions from your physician or other health care professional. You should NOT use information from this blog to diagnose, treat or cure a medical condition. Blog owner cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any information included here. If you have a pre-existing medical or psychological conditions or are now taking medication(s), consult your doctor ASAP before adopting any changes to your meal plan.

To reprint any posts, please provide the post in its entirety and make sure to include the following information: Connie Bennett is author of the bestselling books, Sugar Shock, which has been praised by Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Beyond Sugar Shock, which has been endorsed by Dr. Wayne Dyer and many other experts. Connie is a certified life coach, a certified health coach, an experienced journalist, and host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show. A former sugar addict, Connie quit sugar on doctor's orders in 1998 and now helps people worldwide since let go of their dangerous, potentially deadly habit. Get free gifts at http://www.Connie-Bennett.com